Your opinion on selecting a .500 NE 3” or .470 NE?

[Schüler Jumbo]

Everyone,

If you were faced with the decision of selecting only either a .470 NE or a .500 NE 3” what criteria would you base your selection on?

Thanks in advance.

 

[spike.t]

You checked for other threads on this subject?....am sure there are some

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Yes, I did two searches and did not find results. Maybe I used the wrong search wording, same as in the title.

 

[TTundra]

Out of these two....

Repeated Ele hunts or lots of love and/or need for stopping rifles- 500 NE

Everything else- 470 NE

 

[Rare Breed]

Are you a reloader? The difference in recoil knowing how to load the least grains of type powder to produce regulated FPS is little between the two given I have owned both. If not 470 in Hornady factory ammo is more readily available. Both calibers will stop any animal on earth. My 470 took my elephant last year no problem

 

[Rosch]

Everyone,

If you were faced with the decision of selecting only either a .470 NE or a .500 NE 3” what criteria would you base your selection on?

Thanks in advance.

Well, You didn't mention what hunts You're planing with this firesticks!
500 NE is the right one for Jumbo hunting from early morning till evening,
470 NE is more the princess and can be used for all sorts of hunting!
The real difference is in my opinion the recoil. While the 470 is still a tolerantable good relation weapon weight/ recoil and feels sort of Buick shuffs You around!
The 500 NE is real more and if you are not Yourself of some weight, You will find Yourself on Your backside after the dust has settled!
Example? Look here:

 

[VertigoBE]

.500NE any day, any time.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Well, You didn't mention what hunts You're planing with this firesticks!
500 NE is the right one for Jumbo hunting from early morning till evening,
470 NE is more the princess and can be used for all sorts of hunting!
The real difference is in my opinion the recoil. While the 470 is still a tolerantable good relation weapon weight/ recoil and feels sort of Buick shuffs You around!
The 500 NE is real more and if you are not Yourself of some weight, You will find Yourself on Your backside after the dust has settled!
Example? Look here:

Asshat. What a trigger slap on the first attempt.

 

[grand veneur]

Well, You didn't mention what hunts You're planing with this firesticks!
500 NE is the right one for Jumbo hunting from early morning till evening,
470 NE is more the princess and can be used for all sorts of hunting!
The real difference is in my opinion the recoil. While the 470 is still a tolerantable good relation weapon weight/ recoil and feels sort of Buick shuffs You around!
The 500 NE is real more and if you are not Yourself of some weight, You will find Yourself on Your backside after the dust has settled!
Example? Look here:

It is but true that a rifle caliber 470 Nitro Express has a manageable recoil. I have never shot a rifle caliber 500 Nitro Express, but I imagine the recoil would be somewhat stronger. Nevertheless, nobody fall over after shooting with rifles of this calibers, regardless of his body weight. The shooter in the video clearly cannot handle correctly such rifles; this is evident after the first shot and firing a second shot quickly would be impossible.

 

[DaddyFlip]

I like opinion questions since one needs no experience to participate. I have, however, shopped the subject (and other) calibers, so here's my criteria:

• I always start with reloading components or factory ammo options; 470 reloading is SLIGHTLY easier to acquire (though both are scarce at the moment). Factory ammo- 500 is ever-so-slightly more expensive than 470, but options are similar
• Forgive me here, but I prefer cartridges with sex appeal; the 470's shoulder gives it a slight edge over the straight-wall 500
• Assuming there's a budget constraint, 470 rifles are generally easier to acquire at a lower price than a 500, all other factors equal
• I do take recoil vs results into account; if you don't need the extra oomph of a 500 why deal with the recoil and/or the extra weight? In an EQUAL weight rifle and standard load for each, the recoil energy is probably 15% higher in the 500.

 

[Tanks]

The 500 NE is real more and if you are not Yourself of some weight, You will find Yourself on Your backside after the dust has settled!

I disagree. The video below was in my fat phase of 180#s, if one knows how to handle recoil then no issues.

BTW, in that video you posted the rifle had doubled (both barrels firing at the same time)

Out of these two....

Repeated Ele hunts or lots of love and/or need for stopping rifles- 500 NE

Everything else- 470 NE

I can't think of anything else that .470 would be good for that .500 would not.

 

[SStomcat]

It really comes down to what you prefer and which rifle fits you better. Both cartridges will do the job — and do it effectively and ethically — on anything that walks this planet, as long as you use proper bullets and place your shots well.
On recoil, a lot depends on the specific load, especially if you handload. I’ve shot both calibers, and while the .500 definitely has more kick, I wouldn’t call it dramatically more. Manageable, but noticeable.

 

[VertigoBE]

I concur with @Tanks , the .500NE is not so difficult to get along with:

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Everyone,

If you were faced with the decision of selecting only either a .470 NE or a .500 NE 3” what criteria would you base your selection on?

Thanks in advance.

I would opt for the .500 Nitro Express. Actually, I would personally opt for the .600 Nitro Express but that’s just me.

I believe that when hunting dangerous game, the hunter must base his caliber selection upon two criteria:
1) It should be the largest caliber which he can ACCURATELY & COMFORTABLY shoot.
2) It should be a caliber for which factory loaded ammunition and/or hand loading components are widely available enough for him to get good pracrice with the weapon before embarking upon his Safari.

If you are wondering whether a .500 Nitro Express is a better stopper on dangerous game than a .470 Nitro Express, then my answer is- Yes, definitely. Hunt enough elephant or hippopotamus on land with both calibers… and you will eventually know why (not that the .470 Nitro Express is a bad caliber by any means).

I understand that the recoil of the .577 Nitro Express or .600 Nitro Express can be a little disconcerting to some hunters. But in my field experience, most hunters who can handle a .470 Nitro Express… can also comfortably handle a .500 Nitro Express with relatively little practice.

 

[wildwilderness]

I would go 470 ne. from what I have seen its more available for components and ammo. Also plenty of rifle options. And less recoil (though still substantial for me!) which usually translates into more practice. if you reload definityly go with IMR 3031 and a filler. Noticeable reduction in recoil over other powders.

There is nothing that needs a 500 that a 470 can't do just as well!

 

[Tanks]

There is nothing that needs a 500 that a 470 can't do just as well!

Mark Sullivan disagrees as he considers the .500 as a starter caliber.

 

[mdwest]

Ive shot exactly 2 rounds from a 500 NE.. and a total of 4 rounds from two different 470 NE... so I am far from an expert..

But.. I'd personally probably go with the 470.. if for no other reason there appears to be more of them and components are more affordable and easy to find.. ammo is more affordable and easier to find, etc (albeit something of a non issue in reality.. when youre talking about spending $305 for a box of Federal premiums in 500 and $295 for a box of Federal premiums in 470.. does saving $10 a box really matter???? lol)...

It could have been the guns (fit, weight, etc).. but I found the 470's I shot to be stout, but pretty easy to manage in terms of recoil.. they were "enjoyable" to shoot..

the 500... well.. not so much lol.. It wasnt horrible.. and it was certainly manageable.. but there was certainly nothing pleasurable about it..

 

[SStomcat]

BTW, in that video you posted the rifle had doubled (both barrels firing at the same time)

Thanks! But seriously… how is that even possible? It’s a Heym — they’re supposed to have intercepting sears.

I mean, a Heym malfunctioning is like hearing a Swiss watch skipped a beat or a Toyota didn’t start on the first crank — technically possible, but your brain refuses to accept it.

 

[SStomcat]

Mark Sullivan disagrees as he considers the .500 as a starter caliber.

What nonsense. “Offensive, defensive” — what is this, football practice? Sounds like more propaganda than substance.And honestly, the phenomenon of diminishing returns really shows up

 

[Tanks]

Thanks! But seriously… how is that even possible? It’s a Heym — they’re supposed to have intercepting sears.

I mean, a Heym malfunctioning is like hearing a Swiss watch skipped a beat or a Toyota didn’t start on the first crank — technically possible, but your brain refuses to accept it.

One way is if one's finger slips moments after the first shot and presses the back trigger.